Chapter 270

They were not close, but it was as if he could hear Ryu's thoughts from his expressions. 

'Why won't you see me?'

'Why won't you talk to me?'

'You said we'll discuss everything. You won't shut me out. You won't jump to conclusions. So why?'

'Why are you ignoring me?'

A tear rolled down Aito's cheek and he quickly wiped it away. He didn't even realize he was crying.

Ryu saw this and stood up hurriedly but Aito closed the curtain and sat on the floor. He hugged his knees to his chest and let out a deep breath, trying to hold back his tears.

"You betrayed me, Ryu," he sniffled. "You ruined my life. How do you expect me to forgive you?"

********

Finally, on Monday evening...

Ryu stood by a corner, watching Aito transfer the potted roses into the soil of their garden. He was on both knees, carefully lowering a budding rose into the soil. The sun was setting, casting a reddish-orange glow all over the garden. Within the rose